For A Little While, I Was Worried She Might Forget About The Sex Stuff

Our new state Sen. Ronda Storms showed she was her own woman and stuck up for consumers during the special session on insurance. But she won her fame (infame? How come that's not a word if "infamous" is a word?) on social issues as a Hillsborough County Commissioner, and you had to figure she would get back to basics sooner or later. Check out today's article on Storms' proposal to require doctors to turn in pregnant girls 15 or younger.

Storms' theory is that if you're that young and pregnant, it's probably the result of a crime and somebody ought to know about it. Critics say that if girls are that young and pregnant, and know the doctor has to turn them in, it's just going to keep them away from the doctor.

Also interesting is Storms' link-up with the reigning social-morals member over in the state House, Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala (think Terri Schiavo case). If the Storms-Baxley team really wanted to, it could force the Legislature to face all kinds of issues that the current moderate power structure (including the governor) isn't keen to deal with...

Comments

[George S.]

This is another occurrence of someone trying to make a name for themselves by making a moral issue into a political issue.

It is WRONG for her to assume that if someone 15 or younger is pregnant that it is a result of crime.

She should stick to other issues.

[Amy Jo]

Why do people insist that politics and morals are always mutually exclusive?

Besides, it is a tragedy that scared, naieve, and most importantly underage girls are legally allowed to risk their health and terminate the life of a child without informing their parent(s).

A classic example of government legislating its way into your personal life.

[John Keller]

It is amazing to me how much the media, especially this liberal newspaper promotes sexual idolatry, just look at the sports section classified ads, there are adult businesses advertised in there, so it is no wonder that this so called "un-biased" newspaper loves to promote sexual idolatry as a right of the citizens, as far as this issue is concerned, it would seem to me a child becoming pregnant (someone under 15 is a less then 14 so they are a child) is a victim of either, sexual abuse, neglect, absentee parents or something. So why just stop at turning in child, but also require the father is named.

[Keysha]

It is my job as a parent to connect with my children, to have open lines of communication with them, and to be there for them through ALL the issues in their lives. I taught my children that until you are ready to become a parent, you should refrain from having sex because regardless of how careful you are, it still happens sometimes. Some kids don't have family that they can talk openly with for whatever reason. That being said, I have a big issue with this as they are trying to pass it. Walk into any middle or high school today and do an poll where there is no personal information given except age & grade. Ask how many kids have had sex VOLUNTARILY, how many partner's they've had, and at what age did they first have consentual sex. It is an eye opener. Also ask about if protection was used. That is an even bigger eye opener. What this legislation is attempting to do is make an underage person have LEGAL trouble for making a personal choice after they've had sex and there is a pregnancy. What about if they have sex and there isn't a pregnancy? Is it still a crime or handled the same way??? This isn't right. Period. If there is suspected criminal activity or sexual abuse, there should be options and procedures for health care providers to follow. Making this a legal issue is going to turn more kids to illegal & unsafe options and then we as a society will have a much bigger problem. There are a lot of young parents who do not choose abortion. To assume all underage sexual activity is abuse is ignorant. As a parent, you teach your kids morals and values. Once they step out your front door, they make choices on how to use what they learned. They chose to have sex, end up with an unwanted pregnancy, and now instead of being safely terminated, they face legal trouble?? HOW IS THAT GOING TO HELP other than to end abortion? Is that the agenda really or is it to help protect sexual abuse victims? Maybe I'm missing something but I just don't get it....

[David George]

Do all the people that Ronda Storms represents in congress really think the way she does? If so, that is one district I will be sure to steer clear of. I am afraid that my belief that all humans are created equal and should be treated as such, with the same rights - note SAME RIGHTS, not special rights - would probably result in a warrant for my arrest in her part of the state. And is she really so naive to believe that all pregnant girls under 15 got that way as the result of a crime? Come on, now.

No, David, a lot of us don't think the way she does - that's why almost 67,000 of us voted for a virtual unknown, and he almost beat her. But the Plant City people love her right wing politics and well, there you have it.

[MiMi]

A significant number of teenage girls are sexually assaulted and molested by older men and pedophiles.Under age sex is a criminal act.Pregnancy is evidence that there is a crime.The pro aborts don't want anyone to touch their holy sacrament of abortion.The cost to society caused by the results of juvenile (and adult) sexual assault is horrendous.I support Rhonda.I also teach teenagers.If you don't like the age consent law get rid of it.Of course the pedophiles want that.If your not enforcing a law why have it?

[J]

Re: Amy Jo

Is she serious when she says, "legislating its way into your personal life"? because I was going to say the same thing, but I don't think she understands the issue.

[Mary]

This brings to mind the old proverb: He who invokes the law takes a wolf by the ears. I think most teenage girls would soon learn that seeing a health care professional would mean a world of trouble and not much sensitivity. How about it we educate the young women - I mean really educate them and do what we can to bring about emotional maturity and perhaps a hot-line for discussing the possibility of sexual abuse. You say, we have that? Let's ask a random group of teenage girls to tell us where to find that number and what happened when they called it. You'll get nothing, nada. So before we get heavy handed and criminalize all young sexuality, let's do the sane thing. Or, does Florida prefer to keep their young ignorant?

[dcdave]

Good idea Ronda. Let's out pregnant kids with abusive parents that are gonna get the crap kicked out of them. Nice of you to think about the little people. It's stoneage thinking like this that makes people laugh at Florida, and unfortunately (read: Schiavo, Stanton et al) it seems to be the norm around here.

[JT]

Maybe if she tried something other than the missionary position, she might see things from a different perspective.
And to think, most of us probably thought hurricanes and tornadoes were the only STORMS Florida had to worry about.

[John Gibson]

What a boneheaded idea.

And I am a card-totin' conservative! Its rare that I would line up with liberals on political and moral issues, but I don't see where this proposal solves anything for anyone, or protects anyone from anything.

Just the idea a lawmaker would think of this is scary.

[SJ]

Amy Jo,
This is not about notifying parents. This is about notifying Law Enforcement. The few teens that do seek medical help now will be scared off by terrifying questions about thier partners.
The only result of this will be more scared, disenfranchised teens giving birth in school restrooms and leaving their babies in dumpsters. The real legacy of the anti-choice lobby.

once more, we see a prime example of the ahistoricalevangelicaldumbdamentalistmoralists demonstrating that they are NOT for the health and safety of young women, but only want to PUNISH them for screwing around and getting caught. What other reason could they have for placing obstacles in the way of them getting competent medical care?
what??
what??

[John Gibson]

SJ

So baby abandonment is the "real legacy" of the anti-choice ammendment?

Do you presume to speak for all the women who did this and know all the reaons that went into this for each one?

Do you presume to know the reason they did not make the choice you apparently would have made for them?

Apparently you would have been much happier if these women had left their babies in the abortion mill dumpsters instead.

Careful, your arrogance is showing.

[John Gibson]

mistyped:

first line in my last post should say "lobby", not "amendment". Someone must have messed with my keyboard...

[SJ]

John,

"Do you presume to speak for all the women who did this and know all the reaons that went into this for each one?"

No, do you?

"Do you presume to know the reason they did not make the choice you apparently would have made for them?"

I would never presume to step on your toes when it comes to making descisions FOR others. You have no idea what my personal descision would be. BTW, I'm Catholic. Does that give you a clue?

"Careful, your arrogance is showing."

Pot, meet kettle.

I am saying one simple thing: Most young women who make horrific, criminal "choices" are motivated by fear and panic. This law will prove those fears well-founded.

[John Gibson]

SJ

1) No, I don't. But then again I didn't make the statement laying all abandoned babies at the feet of the pro life camp. I believe that was you.

2) Yep, got the clue, thanks. not sure what to do with it, but I have a feeling you are going to let me know.

3) touche! Swords at dawn! Um, start without me if I am late.

Please note in my first post. I DON'T support this idiotic law, either. That is despite my firmly entrenched historicalevangelicaldumbdamentalistmoralist* pro life beliefs.

However, it begs the question of what should be done when an underage pregnancy is the result of criminal behavior?

*historicalevangelicaldumbdamentalistmoralist may be copyrighted, but the poster left no name or forwarding address so I can't properly credit them...

Republicans are about government intrusion. That is the new Republican party.

[Michelle from Tampa]

Just wondering, but was Andie MacDowell's sexually-neurotic character in "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" modelled after Ronda Storms? Sure does seem like it.

[Val in LOL]

It sure would be nice if those who propose these pro-fetus ideas extended support to the girl BEFORE she got pregnant. How about birth control education and contraceptives? Funding programs for at risk girls? Why do we have to wait til they end up pregnant to act?

I have alot of difficulty believing these really have the interests of children at heart. They use fetuses as the poster child for how pro-family they are - except they leave the family out.

[Brandon Pride]

Ronda Storms says NO on Living Wage and Planned Parenthood.
"If you can't afford four children, birth control has been around since the 1960s," she said. "There is a little thing called the pill." "There is nothing you can say or do for me to support you. I am prolife and you're not. Women are dying at the hands of Planned Parenthood today"

www.sptimes.com/2004/06/17/news_pf/Hillsborough/County_says_no_to__li.shtml
www.sptimes.com/2005/07/29/Hillsborough/Commission_backs_off_.shtml

April 28, 2006, Storms makes Political vows. The state Senate candidate says she would work to bar gays and lesbians from being foster parents.
"I don't support putting at-risk children in homes that I think are at-risk themselves," she said of gay foster parents.

www.sptimes.com/2006/04/28/Brandontimes/Storms_makes_politica.shtml

http://www.unbanned.org/